A Brief Introduction by Dr. Tim Turnbull

Dr. Timothy Turnbull, a marine biologist and part-time resident of Andros, regularly gives evening slide presentations here at Small Hope, using his own photographs taken on the Andros Reef. His show is most informative--and you may see him on our dive boats from time to time.

The fringing-barrier reef lying to the east of Andros Island in the Bahamas represents the second largest reef complex in the western North Atlantic and is one of the most remote. The system extends for a distance of approximately 200 km (124 miles) from the Joulter Cays in the north to South Cay in the south. Based on the distribution, development, and architecture of reef communities within the vicinity of Small Hope Bay, the reef may be divided into five major zones; the lagoon (including mangrove areas), back reef, reef crest, inner fore reef, and outer fore reef.

Note: The Andros reef complex is not a true barrier reef system in the strict sense because of the relatively shallow depth of the lagoon and close proximity of the reef crest to the shoreline. It is also not a true fringing reef since it is not set directly against the shoreline. Hence, it is regarded as a hybrid in reef classification. See Millman, 1973.